Movie Review: “Thor Ragnarok”

By Cara Young, Opinion Editor

“You’re embarrassing me I told them we were friends.”

I feel this quote is an appropriate way to begin the review of Marvels latest film Thor Ragnarok. While this was not the deepest or most accurate story attempt Marvel has produced, it was, in a way, entertaining. Banner and Odinson busted the box office at $122.7 million domestically in its first three days and an estimated $300 million worldwide. This is important because it makes the Marvel Cinematic Universe the first to make $5 billion domestic ever. However, it is obvious this movie suffered in plot direction, character introduction, and delivery in every area but comedy. No doubt influenced greatly by the rousing success that “Deadpool”and “Guardians of the Galaxy” constant comedy cranks out, “Thor Ragnarok” provided awaiting audiences with forced attempts at comedic breaks that happen in every other sentence.

The new script style alongside New Zealand Taika Waititi, who brought us such gems as “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” and “Eagle vs Shark”, is known for his impromptu inclusion and unique directorial style. Even with the reins passing over, it seems every installment from Kenneth Branagh, to Alan Taylor, and now Takika Waititi the directorial style inevitably seems to bleed through. A transition as massive as a dramatic action hero to subdued space spartan may be too big a jump for fans to stick the landing on.

Storyline wise the movie felt slow in some unnecessary places but flashed through in others. After the unexpected loss of his father, Odin Allfather, Thor and Loki suffer a crushing defeat to Hela, Goddess of Death and Odin’s first-born daughter, portrayed by the superb Cate Blanchett. This may seem strange to anyone familiar with Norse Mythology because Odin had four sons and exactly no daughters. However, if Loki gets to be Thor’s younger brother why shouldn’t Odin’s daughter be Thor’s older sister?

Placing aside the “this isn’t mythologically accurate” argument, let’s talk about the plot. I am happy to say that Thor and the time of Ragnarok did take roles in this movie. The major plot, while muddled by new world gladiator fights and old-world wizardry, comes through as our favorite god of thunder attempts to stop the end of Asgard, a period known as Ragnarok. A journey riddled with unbelievable twists, quick character deaths, literal never-ending turns, and generic but mildly humorous violence related jokes that ultimately ends with the destruction of Asgard and the loss of a perfectly good eyeball.

While this film was not up to par with the last several Thor inclusive Marvel movies, the bad clearly outweighs the good. Ragnarok does come with a beautifully retrofitted soundtrack, masterful fight cartography, tasteful development of already established characters i.e. Hulk, and an explosion to action ratio that would appease even Michael Bay. The saving grace for this film however has to be the post credit scene’s direct lead into Infinity Wars and the introduction of Thanos to at least a few of the Avengers.